Just One Person

[pantheon7]

Well done job! Kudos to you! What an awesome story. You are a great nurse. That must of sent chills down your spine when he said Thank you! I know a lot of nurses that would not of gotten involved. Sad but true. You show you are there for the patient NOT just the money. I admire that because I am a lot like you too!

[~miss_mercy_me]

"Just One Person" truly an inspiring story! Nurses are amazing.... :redbeathe charity at its best!!!

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

That is a wonderful story. I am going to share one that involved my mother during her lengthy career as an RN.

My late mother was an RN who spent most of her career working night shift in the ICU. In the summer of 1974 I worked as an orderly (I’m showing my age by using that term) in her hospital. She told me the story of Mr. Downs, perhaps her most memorable patient. I don’t remember why Mr. Downs was hospitalized, but he coded a number of times while on her unit. There were so many codes the staff grew weary of running them. Many wondered why he wasn’t made a DNR so they could just let him go. My mother said that for some unknown reason, she felt compelled to keep fighting for this man who appeared to be losing a pointless battle. To the amazement of the staff, Mr. Downs finally improved enough to go home. Everyone said their goodbyes and wished him well. My mother thought that like most patients, she would never see Mr. Downs again.

About six months later, my mother was working another of her seemingly endless night shifts. It was 2 AM and all was quiet on the unit, at least for now. The doors swung open and a man in street clothes walked onto the unit. He walked toward my mother with his arms spread. It was Mr. Downs. “There’s my angel”, he said as he walked up to my mother and hugged her. “Thank you for not giving up on me. You saved my life.' He showed her pictures of his granddaughter's wedding. "I went to my granddaughter's wedding last week", he said, "and because of you I got to see her get married.” After a brief conversation, Mr. Downs left.

My mother never saw or heard from Mr. Downs again. I will never know how much longer he lived, or how many other things he got to do before he finally passed away. Because of the actions of my mother and her colleagues, he got to enjoy life a little longer at a time when most people would have conceded defeat and let him go. My mother was so moved by his gesture that she told the story to others years later. “That a patient would come to the hospital in the middle of the night just to thank me, that makes it all worth it”, she said.

I had no idea at the time that I would follow my mother into nursing, although it took me a few years go get here. Maybe someday I will be half the nurse she was.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

What a beautiful tribute, orca! It's amazing that one person really can make a difference.

[oramar]

Angie I just love you. I read every post of yours I come across. Here's hoping someday when me or mine are gasping for breath someone like you walks in the room. Oh by the way, been there done that many times. Don't think I handled things as well as you, but if I am half the nurse you are I am a heck of a good nurse.

[w3ndiscott]

I'm a senior nursing student exhausted and burned out, taking my last few tests before graduation. You're story was just what I needed, thank you for sharing.